Sauraha, Dec. 26 -- Elephants in Nepal on Friday took part in a penalty shootout competition during the annual elephant festival of the Himalayan nation in the tourist town of Sauraha.

The elephants marched along the streets from the Chitwan National Park gate to the festival venue, where they participated in the penalty shootout competition, drawing hundreds of spectators.

Held after a gap of several years following objections from animal rights activists, the 19th edition of the Elephant and Tourism Festival this year introduced the penalty shootout competition.

A major tourist destination in Chitwan, Sauraha has revamped its tourism campaign this year, which is expected to help revive tourism and promote elephant conservation.

"The...